BP's first annual meeting since Gulf oil spill sparks protests

London
-
BP are facing the wrath of several angry protesters at its first annual general meeting since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico almost a year ago.

It's only a week until the first anniversary of the environmental catastrophe that saw 11 workers killed when a drilling rig provided by BP exploded, with millions of barrels of oil leaking out into the Gulf of Mexico sea. The hundreds of protesters included trade unionists and a representation of fishermen from the US, directly affected by the oil spill.

Around 200 people have gathered outside the AGM in London and the scenes are one of intense noise, anger and emotion. Banners are being waved, which include "BP, Your Party Is Over!" and "Global Climate Crime" and whistles are being blown. Each group of demonstrators are vying with each other to shout the loudest. There is even a brass band and a strong police presence.

Shareholders in BP are here too and they are angry at boardroom bonuses and the Rosneft contract deal and BP's increasingly bitter wrangle with its Russian partners in TNK-BP , reports BBC Business.

High profile anti-BP protester, Diane Wilson, attempted to gain access to the meeting but with her hands and face covered in black oil, security refused her entry to the meeting, which includes BP shareholders and investors. A melee ensued when Ms Wilson was turned away. She tried to grab security officers with her oil-blackened hands while several members of the GMB union and communities hit by the oil disaster, poured into the centre.

There will also be protests by other environmentalists, with more planned over the coming week across London.